Forgive me for asking.
Ok. So I tried searching on this, but nearly all threads dealt with how to do adjustments.

So I am about to buy a S2k, but something I noticed in recent test drives is that there is a slight play at the top, not like a wiggling play, but like a 'less tension from the spring' play until the clutch starts disengaging. Then the action is more firm.

From what I see, this is normal in this car right? A stock / new car should come with this right?
Just curious, any specified amount?

So my question is:
What is this play, and what is it for (why is it so significant)? From what I read, I think someone mentioned (Billman250 IIRC) there are two types of plays in the clutch? My Accord has no noticable play whatsoever, and none of the other cars I have driven recently seem to have this.

Someone please explain all this to me, it's driving me nuts!

Thanks in advance,
-James

 

A little bit of freeplay at the top of the pedal travel is normal; otherwise, the clutch release bearing will be loaded at all times and will wear out prematurely.

 

Free play should exist at the top of any clutch movement. In fact, EVERY manual transmission with a driver operated clutch, whether it be a car or motorcycle should have this free play, whether it be a cable actuation or hydraulic actuation. Your Accord's clutch is maladjusted if you have zero free play and if you've not detected this free play in any other manual car you've driven, then something is wrong with each and every one of those cars. IMO, I believe you simply have not been able to feel the free play in those other cars.
As a side note, brake action should also have free play at the beginning of the pedal or lever movement. Free play is there to ensure that the clutch is fully engaged or the brake is fully released. That's just the way these sorts of mechanical things are calibrated.

 

I see. I understand the concept and why it is there, but...

I took another look at the Accord, and it was really hard to feel, but I kind of feel the transition of play, but it is very very smooth and small (subtle) transition compared to the S2000. If I am not delusional, the clutch on the Accord is working properly, fully disengages and does not slip.

Any reason in particular for the play in the S2000 to be this noticable in comparison? and such a large amount coming from the factory?

Not a big deal, just curious if anyone knew offhand if there were any logical reasoning behind this difference.

 

EVERYTHING is more noticeable in the S2000. That's the way it is.

 

How old is the Accord? Is it cable actuated clutch or hydraulic? If it's cable and you are not the original owner, the cable may have been modified. On my old VW, I was getting a bit of cable stretch and I shimmed the end at the tranny and took out all free play. This was mainly due to it being the only thickness of shim that I could find. Has anyone tampered with your Accord's clutch?

 

Different cars have different characteristics. Could be a lot of things. First, the Accord may have a lighter clutch. I haven't tried the Accord but most Honda/Acura clutches are too light and not as stiff as the S. Second, some cars like my BMW E36 have a pretty strong return spring just for the pedal and that makes it harder to feel the freeplay. Third (not sure if this one makes the difference), the S has a pull-type clutch which is not very common (only a few higher-end sportscars like the FD RX-7 run them). Most cars run push-type clutch.

 

I've found lots of s2k's to have sloppy clutch freeplay. As hard as I try, I can't convey on a keyboard the proper way to adjust it. Find some of my posts, I may have it down pretty well.

One of these days I'll do a write up with pics.....

 

I am the first owner of the Accord, it only has 20k miles, and the clutch should be fine. It's an 04 with an untampered 5 speed transmission, but I don't know what type of clutch it has. From hondanews.com, I can only see for sure that the V6-6 speed has hydraulic. No mention about the 5 speed.

And just to show my ignorance, I didn't even know they still made cable type clutches. ^_^

I'm starting to think it could just be what Race\ Miata says, that is is just the spring fooling me, but then again the clutch is very light.

I'm probably hurting my brain more than it's worth at this point

 

According to my dealer there is no adjustment. I have just had my second clutch replacement in five years as my previous one was at the stage where it engaged in the very last inch of travel. The diagnosis was a worn clutch but when they pulled it out it wasn't as bad as first suspected. They footed the new clutch cost 50/50 with Honda anyway so I had the replacement done regardless.